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{{Short description|WW2 German fortification between Gold and Omaha beaches, Normandy}}
{{Short description|WW2 German fortification between Gold and Omaha Beaches, Normandy}}
{{Infobox military structure
{{Infobox military structure
|name = Longues-sur-Mer Battery
|name = Longues-sur-Mer Battery
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|type =
|type =
|coordinates = {{coord|49.3435|-0.6950|type:landmark|display=inline}}
|coordinates = {{coord|49.3435|-0.6950|type:landmark|display=inline}}
|code = Wiederstandsnest (Wn) 48
|code = ''Wiederstandsnest (Wn) 48''
|built = September 1943 to April 1944
|built = September 1943 to April 1944
|builder = [[Organisation Todt]]
|builder = [[Organisation Todt]]
|materials = [[Concrete]] and [[steel]]
|materials = [[Concrete]] and [[rebar]]
|height =
|height =
|used = 6 June 1944
|used = 6 - 7 June 1944
|demolished =
|demolished =
|condition = Four casemates with naval guns plus fire control bunker
|condition = Four casemates with naval guns plus fire control bunker in fair to good condition
|ownership = Coastal Conservatory (Fr.:Conservatoire du Littoral)
|ownership = ''[[Conservatoire du littoral]]''
|open_to_public = All casemates are open to public
|open_to_public = All casemates are open to public
|controlledby =
|controlledby =
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|battles = [[Battle of Normandy]]
|battles = [[Battle of Normandy]]
|events = [[D-Day landings]]
|events = [[D-Day landings]]
|image2 = [[File:War Ensign of Germany 1938-1945.svg|100px]] [[Image:Reichsadler.svg|100px]]
|image2 = [[Image:Reichsadler.svg|100px]]
|caption2 = Kriegsmarine Ensign
|caption2 =
}}
}}


The '''Longues-sur-Mer battery''' (German: ''Marineküstenbatterie (MKB) Longues-sur-Mer'') is a [[World War II]] German [[coastal artillery]] [[Artillery battery|battery]] approximately {{convert|1|km|mi|abbr=on}} north of the village of [[Longues-sur-Mer]] in [[Normandy]], [[France]]. The battery is sited on a {{convert|60|m|ft|abbr=on}} cliff overlooking the [[Baie de Seine]] and formed a part of [[Nazi Germany|Germany's]] [[Atlantic Wall]] [[Coastal defence and fortification|coastal fortifications]], between the [[Allies of World War II|Allied]] landing sectors of [[Gold Beach]] and [[Omaha Beach]]. The battery shelled both beaches on [[Normandy landings|D-Day]] (6 June 1944), but was captured on 7 June by British forces and played no further part in the [[Operation Overlord|Normandy campaign]].
The '''Longues-sur-Mer battery''' (German: ''Marineküstenbatterie (MKB) Longues-sur-Mer''; also designated ''Widerstandsnest (Wn) 48'')<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dday-overlord.com/en/d-day/atlantic-wall/batteries/longues-sur-mer|title=LONGUES-SUR-MER BATTERY – WN 48 – ATLANTIC WALL|work=dday-overlord.com}}</ref> is a [[World War II]] German [[coastal artillery]] [[Artillery battery|battery]] approximately {{convert|1|km|mi|abbr=on}} north of the village of [[Longues-sur-Mer]] in [[Normandy]], [[France]]. The battery is sited on a {{convert|60|m|ft|abbr=on}} cliff overlooking the [[Baie de Seine]] and formed a part of [[Nazi Germany|Germany's]] [[Atlantic Wall]] [[Coastal defence and fortification|coastal fortifications]], between the [[Allies of World War II|Allied]] landing sectors of [[Gold Beach]] and [[Omaha Beach]].


The battery shelled Allied naval forces off both beaches on [[Normandy landings|D-Day]] (6 June 1944), but was damaged by Allied [[Naval gunfire support|shore bombardment]] the same day, then captured on 7 June 1944 by British ground forces, playing no further part in the [[Operation Overlord|Normandy campaign]].
The battery is the only one in Normandy to retain several of its original guns in situ. It was listed as an historical monument in October 2001, and remains in a good state of conservation.

The battery is the only one in Normandy to retain several of its original guns in situ. It was listed as a historical monument in October 2001, and remains in a good state of conservation.


==Construction==
==Construction==
The battery is located halfway between [[Port-en-Bessin]] in the west and [[Arromanches-les-Bains]] in the east and {{convert|8|km|mi|abbr=on}} north of [[Bayeux]]. Construction of the battery - code-named ''Widerstandsnest (Wn) 48'' - began in September 1943 and was completed by April 1944.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.atlanticwall.polimi.it/museum/bunker/bunker_france.php?inventory_ID=95|title=Wiederstandnest n° 48|work=The Atlantic Wall Linear Museum}}</ref> Although constructed and manned initially by the ''[[Kriegsmarine]]'', the battery was transferred to the ''[[German Army (1935–1945)|Heer]]'' in late 1943.<ref>{{cite book|title=D-Day Fortifications in Normandy|isbn=1-84176-876-6|pages=28|last1=Zaloga|first1=Steven J.|date=10 November 2005}}</ref>
The battery is located halfway between [[Port-en-Bessin]] in the west and [[Arromanches-les-Bains]] in the east and {{convert|8|km|mi|abbr=on}} north of [[Bayeux]]. Construction of the battery by [[Organisation Todt]] began in September 1943 and was completed by April 1944.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.atlanticwall.polimi.it/museum/bunker/bunker_france.php?inventory_ID=95|title=Wiederstandnest n° 48|work=The Atlantic Wall Linear Museum}}</ref> The battery was initially manned by ''[[Kriegsmarine]]'' personnel, but was transferred to the ''[[German Army (1935–1945)|Heer]]'' in late 1943.<ref>{{cite book|title=D-Day Fortifications in Normandy|isbn=1-84176-876-6|pages=28|last1=Zaloga|first1=Steven J.|date=10 November 2005}}</ref>


Four type M272 ''[[regelbau]]'' ("standard design") [[casemate]]s requiring 600 cubic metres of concrete and four tons of [[Rebar|reinforcing steel]] were built, with walls and roofs over {{convert|2|m|ft|abbr=on}} thick. Each casemate held a [[15 cm TbtsK C/36 naval gun]], manufactured by the German-controlled [[Škoda Works]] in [[Plzeň|Pilsen]], [[Czechoslovakia]], with a range of approximately {{convert|20|km|mi|abbr=on}} and a [[rate of fire]] of six to eight rounds per minute. The guns were positioned on a central pivot mount (''Mittelpivotlafette'' or ''MPL'') TL C/36. Behind each gun were rooms containing the shells and charges.
Four type M272 ''[[regelbau]]'' ("standard design") [[casemate]]s requiring 600 cubic metres of concrete and four tons of [[Rebar|reinforcing steel]] were built, with walls and roofs over {{convert|2|m|ft|abbr=on}} thick. Each casemate held a [[15 cm TbtsK C/36 naval gun]], manufactured by the German-controlled [[Škoda Works]] in [[Plzeň|Pilsen]], [[Czechoslovakia]], with a range of approximately {{convert|20|km|mi|abbr=on}} and a [[rate of fire]] of six to eight rounds per minute. The guns were positioned on a central pivot mount (''Mittelpivotlafette'' or ''MPL'') TL C/36. Behind each gun were [[Magazine (artillery)|magazines]] containing the [[Shell (projectile)|shells]] and propellant charges.


[[Fire-control system|Fire control]] was managed from a ''regelbau'' type M262A two-story command post located on the cliff edge {{convert|300|m|ft|abbr=on}} forward of the guns. It was equipped with some of the most technically advanced fire-control systems available in Normandy. It communicated with each gun via an armoured electrical communication system.
[[Fire-control system|Fire control]] was managed from a ''regelbau'' type M262A two-story command post located on the cliff edge {{convert|300|m|ft|abbr=on}} forward of the guns. It was equipped with some of the most technically advanced fire-control systems available in Normandy and was connected to each gun via an armoured electrical communication system.


Also situated at the battery were ammunition bunkers and shelters for defending troops. Three [[2 cm Flak 30/38/Flakvierling|20 mm anti-aircraft guns]] were placed at the battery with a searchlight. Around the battery was a minefield, barbed wire fences and machine-gun and mortar pits for defence. A captured [[Red Army|Soviet]] [[122 mm gun M1931/37 (A-19)#Other_operators|12,2 cm K.390/1(r) gun]] was also sited in an open gun pit close to the entrance to the battery.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.normandie44lamemoire.com/en/longues-sur-mer/ |title=Long-sur-Mer |website=normandie44lamemoire.com |access-date=9 February 2019 }}</ref>
Also situated at the battery were ammunition bunkers and shelters for defending troops. Three [[2 cm Flak 30/38/Flakvierling|20 mm anti-aircraft guns]] were placed at the battery with a searchlight. Around the battery was a minefield, barbed wire fences and machine-gun and mortar pits for defence. A captured [[Red Army|Soviet]] [[122 mm gun M1931/37 (A-19)#Other_operators|12,2 cm K.390/1(r) gun]] was also sited in an open gun pit close to the entrance to the battery.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.normandie44lamemoire.com/en/longues-sur-mer/ |title=Long-sur-Mer |website=normandie44lamemoire.com |access-date=9 February 2019 }}</ref>


==Garrison==
==Garrison==
The battery had a garrison of 184 officers and men, initially from the ''Kriegsmarine'' but after late 1943 from the ''Heer''.
The battery had a garrison of 184 officers and men, initially from the ''Kriegsmarine'' but after late 1943 from the ''Heer''. On D-Day the


==Normandy landings==
==Normandy landings==
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The battery at Longues-sur-Mer was situated between [[Omaha Beach]] and [[Gold Beach]].<ref name=Sterne>{{Cite book |last=Sterne |first=Gary |title=The Cover-up at Omaha Beach |publisher=Skyhorse Publishing |year=2014 |isbn=9781629143279 |page=286}}</ref> In the build up to D-Day, the battery was attacked several times by Allied aircraft. On the evening of 5/6 June 1944 the battery was attacked by bombers, severing the armoured communication system, but little damage was inflicted on the casemates. A large amount of the bombs dropped hit the nearby village.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Taking of the Longues Sur Mer Battery|url=http://www.normandy1944.org.uk/longues_sur_mer.htm|access-date=28 June 2013}}</ref> The fire control post reverted to visual signals to control the guns, but this affected their accuracy.
The battery at Longues-sur-Mer was situated between [[Omaha Beach]] and [[Gold Beach]].<ref name=Sterne>{{Cite book |last=Sterne |first=Gary |title=The Cover-up at Omaha Beach |publisher=Skyhorse Publishing |year=2014 |isbn=9781629143279 |page=286}}</ref> In the build up to D-Day, the battery was attacked several times by Allied aircraft. On the evening of 5/6 June 1944 the battery was attacked by bombers, severing the armoured communication system, but little damage was inflicted on the casemates. A large amount of the bombs dropped hit the nearby village.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Taking of the Longues Sur Mer Battery|url=http://www.normandy1944.org.uk/longues_sur_mer.htm|access-date=28 June 2013}}</ref> The fire control post reverted to visual signals to control the guns, but this affected their accuracy.


The aerial attack was followed at 05:37 on the morning of 6 June by [[Naval gunfire support|shore bombardment]] from the [[Royal Navy]] [[light cruiser]] [[HMS Ajax (22)|HMS ''Ajax'']]. The battery itself opened fire at 06:05, and at 06:20 targeted the [[headquarters ship]] for Gold Beach, [[HMS Bulolo|HMS ''Bulolo'']], which withdrew out of range.
The aerial attack was followed at 05:37 on the morning of 6 June by shore bombardment from the [[Royal Navy]] [[light cruiser]] [[HMS Ajax (22)|HMS ''Ajax'']]. The battery returned fire at 06:05, and at 06:20 targeted the [[headquarters ship]] for Gold Beach, [[HMS Bulolo|HMS ''Bulolo'']], which withdrew out of range.


At 08:00 ''Ajax'' and [[HMS Argonaut (61)|HMS ''Argonaut'']] again engaged the battery. At 08:45 the battery's guns ceased fire temporarily as the Germans undertook repairs. The heaviest damage from this Allied bombardment was the explosion of the ammunition for an [[anti-aircraft gun]], mounted by the Germans on the roof of casemate No.4, which killed several German soldiers.<ref>{{cite book|title=D-Day 1944|isbn=1-84176-368-3|year=2002|pages=50|last1=Ford|first1=Ken}}</ref>
At 08:00 ''Ajax'' and [[HMS Argonaut (61)|HMS ''Argonaut'']] again engaged the battery. At 08:45 the battery's guns ceased fire temporarily as the Germans undertook repairs. The heaviest damage from this Allied bombardment was the explosion of the ammunition for an [[anti-aircraft gun]], mounted by the Germans on the roof of casemate No.4, which killed several German soldiers.<ref>{{cite book|title=D-Day 1944|isbn=1-84176-368-3|year=2002|pages=50|last1=Ford|first1=Ken}}</ref>
Line 63: Line 65:


==Advanced Landing Ground B-11==
==Advanced Landing Ground B-11==
Close to the Longues-sur-Mer battery a temporary [[Advanced Landing Ground]] (code-named B-11) airstrip was built by the Allies. The airstrip was active between June 21 to September 4, 1944 and used by the 125th Wing of the [[No. 83 Expeditionary Air Group]] flying [[Supermarine Spitfires|Spitfires]], and by the French air ace [[Pierre Clostermann]].
After the D-Day landings, the [[Royal Air Force]] (RAF) built a [[Advance airfield|temporary airstrip]] {{convert|300|m|yd|abbr=on}} east of the battery.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dday-overlord.com/en/battle-of-normandy/alg/alg-b-11|title=ALG B-11 – Longues-sur-Mer|work=dday-overlord.com}}</ref> Designated [[Advanced Landing Ground]] (ALG) B-11<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.normandywarguide.com/place/aerodrome-b11-longues-sur-mer|title=Aerodrome B11 de Longues-sur-Mer|work=normandywarguide.com}}</ref>, the airstrip was active between 21 June to 4 September 1944, and used by the [[No. 125 Expeditionary Air Wing|No. 125 (Fighter) Wing]] of the [[RAF Second Tactical Air Force]] flying [[Supermarine Spitfires|Spitfires]], and by the French air ace [[Pierre Clostermann]].


==Gallery of bunker photographs==
==Gallery of bunker photographs==

Revision as of 18:45, 4 July 2023

Longues-sur-Mer Battery
Marineküstenbatterie (MKB) Longues-sur-Mer
Part of Atlantic Wall
Normandy, France
Longues-sur-Mer battery
A gun emplacement at Longues-sur-Mer battery
Coordinates49°20′37″N 0°41′42″W / 49.3435°N 0.6950°W / 49.3435; -0.6950
CodeWiederstandsnest (Wn) 48
Site information
OwnerConservatoire du littoral
Open to
the public
All casemates are open to public
ConditionFour casemates with naval guns plus fire control bunker in fair to good condition
Site history
BuiltSeptember 1943 to April 1944
Built byOrganisation Todt
In use6 - 7 June 1944
MaterialsConcrete and rebar
Battles/warsBattle of Normandy
EventsD-Day landings
Garrison information
GarrisonKriegsmarine then Wehrmacht
Occupants~185

The Longues-sur-Mer battery (German: Marineküstenbatterie (MKB) Longues-sur-Mer; also designated Widerstandsnest (Wn) 48)[1] is a World War II German coastal artillery battery approximately 1 km (0.62 mi) north of the village of Longues-sur-Mer in Normandy, France. The battery is sited on a 60 m (200 ft) cliff overlooking the Baie de Seine and formed a part of Germany's Atlantic Wall coastal fortifications, between the Allied landing sectors of Gold Beach and Omaha Beach.

The battery shelled Allied naval forces off both beaches on D-Day (6 June 1944), but was damaged by Allied shore bombardment the same day, then captured on 7 June 1944 by British ground forces, playing no further part in the Normandy campaign.

The battery is the only one in Normandy to retain several of its original guns in situ. It was listed as a historical monument in October 2001, and remains in a good state of conservation.

Construction

The battery is located halfway between Port-en-Bessin in the west and Arromanches-les-Bains in the east and 8 km (5.0 mi) north of Bayeux. Construction of the battery by Organisation Todt began in September 1943 and was completed by April 1944.[2] The battery was initially manned by Kriegsmarine personnel, but was transferred to the Heer in late 1943.[3]

Four type M272 regelbau ("standard design") casemates requiring 600 cubic metres of concrete and four tons of reinforcing steel were built, with walls and roofs over 2 m (6.6 ft) thick. Each casemate held a 15 cm TbtsK C/36 naval gun, manufactured by the German-controlled Škoda Works in Pilsen, Czechoslovakia, with a range of approximately 20 km (12 mi) and a rate of fire of six to eight rounds per minute. The guns were positioned on a central pivot mount (Mittelpivotlafette or MPL) TL C/36. Behind each gun were magazines containing the shells and propellant charges.

Fire control was managed from a regelbau type M262A two-story command post located on the cliff edge 300 m (980 ft) forward of the guns. It was equipped with some of the most technically advanced fire-control systems available in Normandy and was connected to each gun via an armoured electrical communication system.

Also situated at the battery were ammunition bunkers and shelters for defending troops. Three 20 mm anti-aircraft guns were placed at the battery with a searchlight. Around the battery was a minefield, barbed wire fences and machine-gun and mortar pits for defence. A captured Soviet 12,2 cm K.390/1(r) gun was also sited in an open gun pit close to the entrance to the battery.[4]

Garrison

The battery had a garrison of 184 officers and men, initially from the Kriegsmarine but after late 1943 from the Heer. On D-Day the

Normandy landings

Plan of Longues-sur-Mer gun battery, Normandy

The battery at Longues-sur-Mer was situated between Omaha Beach and Gold Beach.[5] In the build up to D-Day, the battery was attacked several times by Allied aircraft. On the evening of 5/6 June 1944 the battery was attacked by bombers, severing the armoured communication system, but little damage was inflicted on the casemates. A large amount of the bombs dropped hit the nearby village.[6] The fire control post reverted to visual signals to control the guns, but this affected their accuracy.

The aerial attack was followed at 05:37 on the morning of 6 June by shore bombardment from the Royal Navy light cruiser HMS Ajax. The battery returned fire at 06:05, and at 06:20 targeted the headquarters ship for Gold Beach, HMS Bulolo, which withdrew out of range.

At 08:00 Ajax and HMS Argonaut again engaged the battery. At 08:45 the battery's guns ceased fire temporarily as the Germans undertook repairs. The heaviest damage from this Allied bombardment was the explosion of the ammunition for an anti-aircraft gun, mounted by the Germans on the roof of casemate No.4, which killed several German soldiers.[7]

After effecting repairs the battery once again opened fire, this time towards Omaha Beach. The French cruisers Georges Leygues and Montcalm, assisted by the World War I vintage dreadnought USS Arkansas returned fire, knocking out one casemate and damaging two others. The still-active fourth gun fired intermittently during the afternoon and evening of D-Day but had little impact on the Allied landings. The battery had fired over 100 rounds throughout the day.

The garrison of the battery (184 men, half of them over 40 years old) surrendered without a fight to advancing British troops of C Company of the 2nd Battalion, Devonshire Regiment at midday on 7 June 1944.

Advanced Landing Ground B-11

After the D-Day landings, the Royal Air Force (RAF) built a temporary airstrip 300 m (330 yd) east of the battery.[8] Designated Advanced Landing Ground (ALG) B-11[9], the airstrip was active between 21 June to 4 September 1944, and used by the No. 125 (Fighter) Wing of the RAF Second Tactical Air Force flying Spitfires, and by the French air ace Pierre Clostermann.

Gallery of bunker photographs

See also

External links

References

  1. ^ "LONGUES-SUR-MER BATTERY – WN 48 – ATLANTIC WALL". dday-overlord.com.
  2. ^ "Wiederstandnest n° 48". The Atlantic Wall Linear Museum.
  3. ^ Zaloga, Steven J. (10 November 2005). D-Day Fortifications in Normandy. p. 28. ISBN 1-84176-876-6.
  4. ^ "Long-sur-Mer". normandie44lamemoire.com. Retrieved 9 February 2019.
  5. ^ Sterne, Gary (2014). The Cover-up at Omaha Beach. Skyhorse Publishing. p. 286. ISBN 9781629143279.
  6. ^ "The Taking of the Longues Sur Mer Battery". Retrieved 28 June 2013.
  7. ^ Ford, Ken (2002). D-Day 1944. p. 50. ISBN 1-84176-368-3.
  8. ^ "ALG B-11 – Longues-sur-Mer". dday-overlord.com.
  9. ^ "Aerodrome B11 de Longues-sur-Mer". normandywarguide.com.